Thunderflame Plain.
This was a region where the Great Heavenlaw Domain intersected with the southwestern territories of the Hundred Battles Domain. Many forces were gathered here, but the strongest among them were only several large cities such as Earthfire City and Thunder Rain City. Their strongest experts were merely around the level of a Third Grade Sovereign, making this place the most suitable target for the Nine Nether Palace's first move.
"Alright, as long as you have all this clear in your heart, that will do. I will go with you when the time comes. If we really encounter some tough opponent, then we will just join forces and deal with him directly." Jiu You spoke with intense killing intent.
"That would be perfect. As the saying goes, when men and women work together, the job feels less tiring."
Jiu You rolled her eyes and was just about to speak again when her beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed. She stared behind Liu Bai in surprise and asked, "Who is she?"
Liu Bai was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then seemed to realize something and slowly turned around.
Behind him, on the railing, sat a small girl dressed in black. She was quietly sitting there, her slender snow white legs gently swinging. A pair of golden eyes calmly gazed in their direction.
"Mandala?"
Liu Bai frowned and called out her name.
They had previously agreed that he would use the Five Elements Sealing Power within the Immortal True Form Diagram to help her suppress the curse, and in return she would ensure his safety. Now that she had appeared again, could it be that she needed the Five Elements Sealing Power once more?
After hearing Liu Bai's words, Jiu You's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know her?"
Although she was asking, Jiu You had already sensed that something was wrong. This little girl's appearance was far too strange. Even she herself had not noticed her presence at all.
As she spoke, spiritual energy quietly surged within her body, and a strand of violet flame emerged in her slender jade hand.
Mandala's golden eyes glanced calmly at Jiu You.
Liu Bai immediately stepped in front of Jiu You. On the surface, it looked like he was blocking her, but in reality, he was preventing Mandala from making a move. He knew all too well how terrifying this little girl was. Even if Jiu You was one of the Kings of the Great Heavenlaw Domain, Mandala would kill her without hesitation.
Liu Bai briefly explained how he had met Mandala, though he naturally did not mention that this little girl who looked only eleven or twelve years old was actually the unfathomable ruler of the Great Heavenlaw Domain.
After hearing this, Jiu You could not help but widen her beautiful eyes.
She stared at the black clothed little girl in shock. It was hard for her to imagine that she had been sleeping at the deepest part of the Greatlaw GoldPond. Even after all these years, neither the Three Emperors nor the ruler of the Great Heavenlaw Domain had discovered her existence.
What kind of monster was this little girl?
Jiu You frowned slightly, looking at Mandala with a mix of wariness and fear, while considering whether she should inform the Sky Vulture Emperor about this matter.
"Do not reveal anything about me. Otherwise, even those three fellows will not be able to protect you."
Just as this thought crossed her mind, Mandala's calm voice rang out. Her voice sounded young and crisp, yet the indifference within it made one's heart tighten.
Jiu You's expression changed slightly. She stared at Mandala and slowly asked, "Who exactly are you?"
Mandala stood up from the railing. Her jet black hair that reached her knees fluttered in the night wind, and a faint curve seemed to lift at the corner of her small face. "Do not worry. If I truly had other intentions toward you, you would not be able to stop me anyway."
She took light steps along the railing and soon arrived beside Liu Bai, then leaned her entire body toward him.
Seeing this, Liu Bai gave Jiu You a bitter smile, then stretched out his arms and caught her in his embrace. He said to Jiu You, "Let us stop here for today. I will head back first. We can discuss the remaining matters tomorrow. As for what needs to be arranged, Jiu You, you can go ahead and handle it."
Watching the two of them leave, Jiu You's face could not help but twitch. She felt that all her past elegance and confidence had vanished, and at some point her head had inexplicably turned green.
"Bastard. Just you wait. Once I get the chance, I will definitely teach you a harsh lesson."
She cursed angrily, yet still had no choice but to go find Tang Bing to arrange the necessary matters.
Deep within the Nine Nether Palace, inside Liu Bai's place.
After Liu Bai had entered while carrying the black clothed little girl, an hour later he was lying on the bed, drenched in sweat and looking utterly exhausted. Beside him, Mandala was curled up, sitting while hugging her knees. Several mischievous toes kept bouncing lightly, giving off an air of playful innocence.
After a long while, Liu Bai finally recovered. This time, under Mandala's coercion, he had desperately activated the Immortal True Form Diagram, releasing two strands of Five Elements Sealing Power before finally satisfying the little girl.
Liu Bai turned his head to look at her and hesitated before asking, "The Five Elements Sealing Power within my body once sealed a Demon Emperor's remnant soul. What exactly is the existence within you that requires the Five Elements Sealing Power to suppress it?"
Mandala was silent for a moment before finally speaking two words.
"A curse."
"A curse?" Liu Bai immediately put on a look of shock and confusion.
"A curse that can make life worse than death." Mandala's voice was extremely calm. "It constantly radiates extreme pain. That pain is enough to torment an expert at the level of a Ninth Grade Sovereign until their soul is completely destroyed."
If one wanted to cling tightly to Mandala's thigh, one needed to become familiar with her, understand her, and eventually enter her heart. Liu Bai had already used this tactic when dealing with Jiu You, so he was now very experienced.
He even felt like writing an autobiography for himself, titled My Thigh Hugging Diary.
"Do you want to try it?" Mandala suddenly smiled as she looked at Liu Bai's silent expression and asked.
"No need. Thank you. Goodbye."
Liu Bai was immediately startled out of his wits and fled after delivering a rapid sequence of refusals.
Mandala did not actually make him experience the power of the curse within her body. However, seeing him flee in such a sorry state made her unable to resist curling her lips into a smile.
"The Five Elements Sealing Power can seal the remnant soul of a Heavenly Demon Emperor. It seems this person has also obtained the inheritance of a Great Emperor level powerhouse."
"Five Spirits Divine. Five Spirits Divine Celestial Body. Could it be the legendary Five Emperor Divine Sovereign?"
It had to be said that as an ancient Mandala Flower personally planted by the Heavenly Emperor, Mandala knew many secrets from ancient and even primordial times. These were stories the Heavenly Emperor had told her while chatting with her in the imperial garden.
Although Mandala was merely a divine flower planted by the Heavenly Emperor, his feelings toward her were like those of a father raising a daughter. It was much like modern people raising pets, treating cats and dogs as their own children.
The only difference was that those were animal lovers, while the Heavenly Emperor was a plant lover.
The Nine Nether Palace continued to make major moves, completely ignoring the gazes of the other Kings of the Great Heavenlaw Domain, and steadily expanding its own strength.
Three days later, when Liu Shi arrived with Lion Tiger Mountain's five thousand elite Lion Tiger Army, along with Fang Lei's one thousand newly formed Nine Nether Guards, the elite forces gathered by the Nine Nether Palace had already exceeded ten thousand in total.
This caused all the King level powers to feel deeply alarmed, as none of them knew when the Nine Nether Palace had managed to gather such a terrifying force.
If Jiu You had not followed Liu Bai's advice and secretly informed the Sky Vulture Emperor in advance, she would likely have already been summoned by the Three Emperors for a discussion.
"Mountain Master Liu, Commander Fang, you have finally arrived. The Nine Nether King has been waiting for you for quite some time."
The Nine Nether Palace showed exceptional courtesy toward the Lion Tiger Mountain contingent. Not only did Liu Bai, the Grand Commander, personally come out to welcome them, even Jiu You herself would personally receive them.
There was no helping it. Lion Tiger Mountain had practically brought out all of its foundation this time, even mobilizing its strongest Lion Tiger Army. If the Nine Nether Palace did not show sufficient importance, it would inevitably chill the hearts of those under its command.
Seeing Liu Bai's attitude now, Liu Shi's demeanor also changed completely. With a bold smile, he clasped his fists toward Liu Bai and said, "It has only been a few days since we last parted, yet Commander Liu's bearing has become even more outstanding. Back then, it was all thanks to Commander Liu's heartfelt words that I was suddenly enlightened. From today onward, if Commander Liu has any orders, just tell me directly. My Lion Tiger Mountain will absolutely obey only the commands of the Nine Nether King and Commander Liu."
"Easy to say, easy to say." Liu Bai returned the salute with a smile.
With Lion Tiger Mountain joining, the strength of the Nine Nether Palace had undoubtedly undergone a major increase. At the very least, the current Nine Nether Palace already possessed momentum second only to the Asura Palace and the Mountain Splitting Palace.
At this moment, Fang Lei still felt lingering fear in his heart.
When Liu Bai had gone alone to Lion Tiger Mountain, Fang Lei had been outside drilling his one thousand Nine Nether Guards and knew nothing about it.
Later, when he heard that Liu Bai had personally gone to Lion Tiger Mountain and that the talks had nearly ended on bad terms, it frightened him into breaking out in a cold sweat.
He had personally witnessed Liu Bai's terrifying might. Even Liu Shi, who was already a Third Grade Sovereign, might not necessarily be his match. More importantly, Liu Bai stood behind the Nine Nether Palace and represented the Nine Nether King. If his uncle had really lost his temper and fallen out with this man, Fang Lei had no doubt that Lion Tiger Mountain would have been trampled flat by the other side.
The scene of Liu Bai annihilating Wu Tian, who led one thousand Blood Hawk Guards, was still vivid in memory. During the battle for the Greatlaw GoldPond, he had even slain eight Sovereign level experts who attacked him, relying on his own strength while being besieged. Each of these deeds had paved his path of rise with blood.
After meeting Jiu You, Liu Shi solemnly led Lion Tiger Mountain in announcing their formal submission to the Nine Nether Palace. Fang Lei and his one thousand new Nine Nether Guards also returned to the ranks, joining Qiu Shan and the other two in commanding four thousand new Nine Nether Guard recruits. The remaining one thousand veteran soldiers were personally led by Liu Bai.
As for Tang Bing, as the chief steward of the Nine Nether Palace, she naturally had to remain in the rear at such a time, assisting Jiu You in stabilizing the territory and ensuring follow up arrangements.
After several days of drills to ensure smooth coordination among the forces, the army set out directly for Lion Tiger Mountain, then passed through it and entered the Thunderflame Plain of the Hundred Battles Domain.
This strike by the Nine Nether Palace was extremely swift. When they arrived at the first city, the opposing side had not even received the news and was completely unprepared. It was directly breached by Liu Bai, who led one thousand veteran Nine Nether Guards to condense battle intent and shatter it in a single strike.
This small city, named Linyuan City, had a strongest expert who was only a Second Grade Sovereign. Facing Liu Bai, he was no match at all, especially with the support of the Nine Nether Guards' Nine Nether Battle Intent.
This battle also served as a demonstration for the new Nine Nether Guards. What they needed to accomplish next was to condense the same Nine Nether Battle Intent.
This was not something that could be achieved overnight. If Liu Bai wanted to forcibly nurture it, he would have to pay a sufficient price.
Thus, on this vast plain, the flames of war gradually began to spread.
At this moment, within the Thunderflame Plain, a ruined city stood tall. Violent spiritual energy fluctuations continuously swept through the city, making it clear that two forces were fighting fiercely over it.
This was a medium sized city on the Thunderflame Plain named Firethorn City. The attacking side was the five thousand elite Lion Tiger Army led by Liu Shi, who had just sworn allegiance to the Nine Nether Palace.
The battle for the city had already reached a white hot stage. Above the city, more than ten figures stood facing one another, each radiating violent auras.
"Lion Tiger Mountain, you actually dare to extend your claws into my Thunderflame Plain. Have you forgotten how you were chased out like dogs by Lord Earthfire the last time?"
The speaker was a red haired middle aged man. He was Luo Yan, the City Lord of Firethorn City, and also a long established powerhouse of the Thunderflame Plain. He even knew about the great battle between Lion Tiger Mountain and Earthfire City from back then.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi's expression changed, and the way he looked at the other party was as if he were already a dead man.
"So you also took part in that battle. That makes things perfect. Today, I will first take your Firethorn City as interest for the many years of hatred borne by my Lion Tiger Mountain."
"Kill."
With a single command, several experts behind Liu Shi charged forward explosively, each immediately seeking out an opponent among the enemy experts. In an instant, the two sides were locked in chaotic combat.
As for Liu Shi himself, he roared like a ferocious lion and threw a punch straight toward the City Lord of Firethorn City.
"Beast King Fist."
As the punch was unleashed, violent golden spiritual energy surged wildly from his fist, condensing in midair into a hundred zhang golden lion that bared its fangs and claws before opening its massive jaws to devour the City Lord of Firethorn City.
Liu Shi was a Third Grade Sovereign, while the City Lord of Firethorn City was only a Second Grade Sovereign. The gap between them was enormous. Even though a several hundred zhang tall fiery giant phantom had already risen behind the City Lord, it was still pounced upon by the massive golden lion like prey. It was pinned to the ground and then brutally torn apart.
With his Celestial Body destroyed, the City Lord of Firethorn City was naturally left heavily injured.
That was because the Celestial Body he cultivated was simply too inferior. It could not even withstand a single Beast King Fist from Liu Shi. If this had been Liu Bai instead, facing such a trash fire attribute Celestial Body, he could have burned both the person and the Celestial Body into ashes with a single flame.
As expected, Firethorn City was quickly breached by Lion Tiger Mountain, and all its resources were thoroughly plundered.
However, they did not choose to occupy the city. Instead, they continued advancing according to their predetermined route.
This was also part of Liu Bai's arrangement. First, they would clear out the entire Thunderflame Plain, and only then would they discuss occupying territory. This way, even if any changes occurred later, they could at least secure the benefits first.
..
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